Why go to writing workshops and conferences? Because you meet amazing people. At the Paris Writers Workshop in July, where I was a panelist, I met Chantal Panozzo, an American writer based in Zurich, Switzerland. She’s the co-founder of the Zurich Writers Workshop and blogs about the international writing life at Writer Abroad. Here, she talks about the pros and cons of freelancing while living abroad. Very inspiring!

What books are on your nightstand?

Right now I’m reading Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman, This is Not the Story You Think it is by Laura Munson, and Tales from the Expat Harem by Anastasia M. Ashman and Jennifer Eaton Goekmen. I just finished Kitchen Chinese by Ann Mah. I’m reading a lot of memoirs right now since I’m writing one of my own.

What took you to Switzerland?

Curiosity. My husband had a chance to take a job there and while I was scared as heck to give up my job as a copywriter and become a Hausfrau, I knew that if I didn’t go, I’d always be haunted by the “what if?” It was our chance to see the world and we didn’t want to pass that by. I also knew that if I wanted to be the best writer I could be, then living abroad was one of the best things I could do to gain unique perspectives on things.

What keeps you there?

I have found a niche for myself as a writer abroad and also as an English copywriter in Zurich that’s hard to give up. I also find Switzerland beautiful (when it’s not foggy) and I love the way that nature is integrated into city life and that the transportation system is so punctual that I often regret my tardiness. The clock tower across the street from my apartment usually keeps me in check though.

How does living in a foreign country affect your work? What are the pros and cons?

On one hand, it’s easier to find a niche when you are different from the general population. English is used more than ever in business, at least in Switzerland. But on the other hand, it can be hard to work abroad because of the bureaucracy and the language(s) involved. You also have to be flexible because the work you do abroad is not going to be exactly the work you were doing in your home country—even if you’re still doing related things. People hoping to write from abroad also need to consider the cost of living. For example, Switzerland is very expensive, so writing for say, a U.S. publication that’s only going to pay pennies isn’t realistic. But if one were living in Mexico, they’d be living the good life off this same publication.

What advice would you give to novice freelancers?

Start small to establish yourself. I began my freelance journalism career by writing about the arts for an alternative weekly newspaper in Virginia. I established clips and a beat and then expanded from there. But once you’re established, don’t be afraid to aim high. Rejection is nothing to be scared of. If you’re not being rejected, you’re not trying hard enough. Also, don’t underestimate the power of social networking (blogging, twitter, etc). You never know who you’re going to meet through a blog. Part of your job as a writer is not just to write articles, essays, or books but also to make sure that when you do write these, they have a better chance of being published. This comes from platform building. If you’re interested in this, Christina Katz wrote a great book on the topic called Get Known before the Book Deal. It’s especially relevant for non-fiction writers, but really it’s a great book for anyone with their own business.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Freshman year of high school I read an essay that discussed how it was better to aim high and fail than aim low and succeed. I’ve always had that in the back of my head when I work.

Can you tell us a little about your work schedule?

I generally work Monday-Friday from about 8:30 a.m. until at least 5 p.m., sometimes as late as 10 or 11 p.m. if my husband isn’t in town. I need him to keep me from my workaholic tendencies, although I do take breaks to work out or for my Zurich writing group. When you love what you do, it’s hard to pull yourself away. I divide my time between blogging, copywriting, journalism, essay writing, and book projects.

What’s next?

I’m putting the finishing touches on my memoir and beginning the agent search. I’ve already got ideas for a novel and also for a non-fiction book and am trying to decide which to focus on next while I shop the memoir around. Also, I’m the co-founder of the Zurich Writers Workshop and our first big event is being held this October so that’s keeping me busy along with several copywriting clients and the column I write for a Swiss magazine.

To learn more about Chantal, visit these sites:
www.chantalpanozzo.com
www.zurichwritersworkshop.com
www.writerabroad.com

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